Title : Addendum to Liquor EAM
Type : Antarctic EAM
NSF Org: OD / OPP
Date : January 13, 1992
File : opp93055
DIVISION OF POLAR PROGRAMS
OFFICE OF THE ENVIRONMENT
202/357-7766
MEMORANDUM
Date: January 13, 1992
From: Environmental Officer, DPP
Subject: Environmental Action Memorandum (Addendum to
Environmental Action Memorandum (New Liquor Storage
Facility at McMurdo Station, Antarctica) - Dated
December 19, 1991)
To: Files (S.7 - Environment)
Background
On December 19, 1991, the Environmental Officer authorized
construction of a new liquor storage warehouse adjacent to
existing Building 121 at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Since that
authorization, a change in the building design has been proposed
that would require regrading of the site and removal of approxi-
mately 150 cubic yards of fill. As this proposed action is
inconsistent with the information originally submitted regarding
this project the following Environmental Action Memorandum adden-
dum was prepared. The proposed work would take place during the
1991-1992 austral summer season. The civilian support contrac-
tor's Environmental Engineer developed the basic information for
the addendum on December 29, 1991.
Environmental Assessment Queries and Responses
GENERAL
Based on information submitted by the civilian contractor, the
initial Environmental Action Memorandum (EAM) on this proposed
work states:
"Regrading of the site would only require
leveling the existing grade by rearranging
on-site fill. No new fill or removal of fill
from the location would be required."
After the date when the civilian contractor submitted information
regarding the proposed project, an additional change in the
design of the building was proposed. Specifically, it is propos-
ed to increase the size of the building from approximately 2,200
to 3,000 square feet. The larger design was originally approved
by the Manager, Operations Section, Division of Polar Programs
and has been deemed necessary by the Morale, Welfare and
Recreation Department of the Naval Support Force, Antarctica.
The increase in size would require regrading a larger area than
previously planned, and would include removal of approximately
150 cubic yards of substrate. Transfer of this substrate to the
area just East of the building for use in providing earth fill
material to level an area for installing new fuel tanks for
Building 155 is included in the proposal. An EAM covering the
proposed tank installation will be submitted during the early
planning phase for the Building 155 fuel tank facility. Any
extra fill would be taken to McMurdo's earth fill storage area
for use in the future.
Based on the questions contained in the standard EAM format the
potential impact of the proposed change has been considered. A
summary of responses to relevant questions follows:
What alternatives were considered?
Two alternatives were considered: 1) building a smaller
facility; and, 2) the proposed alternative. A building with
the dimensions initially proposed cannot fit within the
available level area beside building 121. The newly
proposed, larger building cannot be constructed, therefore,
without removing fill from the site.
What would be the probable impacts?
Regrading the site would affect water drainage within the
immediate area. Depending on the soil conditions and
weather, fugitive dust emissions during earth moving opera-
tions is probable. In addition, construction equipment
would consume fuel and would emit exhaust gases.
What actions would be taken to mitigate the probable impacts?
Before regrading begins a contour plan for the area showing
the proposed final grades and drainage patterns would be
developed and submitted to the Environmental Officer, DPP;
the Environmental Engineer, DPP and the ASA Environmental
Engineer for review. Regrading shall promote drainage
from the area to an existing ditch or culvert system. The
drainage system shall be orderly, use shallow slopes or
other measures to avoid flow velocities that would cause
erosion at the proposed site. It is recognized that the
proposed site is and will continue to be an area character-
ized by high levels of pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Of necessity, to prevent fugitive dust emissions during
regrading a water truck would be used to moisture-condition
the area using brine discharged by the water treatment
plant.
How would the planned activity change the traditional use of the
site?
The traditional and characteristic use of the site would not
be changed by the proposed action.
Is the activity expected to adversely affect scientific studies
or locations or research interest? Are the physical or environ-
mental characteristics of the land suitable for the proposed
activity?
The area to be excavated and regraded is currently a dead-
end street which has obviously been regraded before.
The area is currently vacant. On occasion it is likely
the area has been used for temporary storage of materials.
However, the site is not a designated cargo lot and does not
provide significant storage area.
Finding
The Environmental Officer has reviewed the initial EAM and the
information presented for this addendum. The Program's concern
for conservative, selective and wise use of earth fill materials
at McMurdo Station is encouraging. Reference should be made to
the Environmental Action Memoranda on: "Review of "Environmental
Assessment for Collection [and Placement] of Earth Fill Materi-
al", dated November 17, 1990; and "Assessment of Additional Earth
Fill Materials Available at McMurdo Station, Antarctica", dated
January 10, 1991. Also, attention should be given to Safety,
Environment and Health Program Policy Memorandum 90-2. Subject:
Authorization and Reporting Procedures for, Gathering and Use of
Fill and Associated Activity, at McMurdo Station, Antarctica;
dated October 1, 1990.
The contractor shall consider the benefits of assuring that the
fill material collected to provide adequate level space for the
newly proposed, larger liquor storage building (and to be used in
connection with the proposed Building 155 fuel tank facility) is
re-worked so as to possesses an aggregate size that is well
graded, and that when wetted, exhibits a cementing quality that
sets up as a hard surface requiring less frequent replacement.
In addition, the contractor shall consider the benefits of
assuring that any substrate placed around the newly proposed,
larger liquor storage building is well graded, and when wetted,
exhibits a cementing quality that sets up as a hard surface
requiring less frequent replacement. Also, consideration shall
be given to establishing clearly marked and regularly maintained
walkways and waiting-line areas around the proposed liquor
storage building. The area around the building is expected to be
characterized by a high level of pedestrian traffic and should be
designed to minimize the impacts of such activity.
In light of the abovementioned EAMs and USAP policy, and fill
preparation and area use considerations, the Environmental
Officer authorizes adoption of the newly proposed actions
associated with liquor storage facility. The Environmental
Officer believes that the proposed actions would have no more
than minor and transitory impacts on the environment.
Sidney Draggan
Attachment
New Site Plan
cc: Head, Safety, Environment and Health
Implementation Team, DPP
Environmental Engineer, DPP